Lot Essay

This table is almost certainly that visible in Vallayer Coster's Still Life, which was exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1789, no.48.

Reflecting the revival of interest in 'Buhl' furniture under Louis XVI, this table can be linked to the oeuvre of the maître-ébéniste Philippe-Claude Montigny (maître in 1766). Both Montigny and his rival Etienne Levasseur's (maître in 1767) involvement in the 1770's in repairing and remodelling Boulle furniture, as well as creating new furniture in an earlier style, often re-using old Boulle panels, is widely documented. However as early as 1766, Montigny was described in the Almanach Dauphin as 'un des plus renommées pour les meubles en écaille et argent ou ébène et cuivre, dans le genre des ouvrages du cèlè bre Boulle'. Montigny's success was widespread, and apart from marchand-merciers such as Julliot, he supplied furniture to private clients including LaLive de Jully, Crozat and the marquis de Marigny, superintendant des Arts et Manufactures.

A table of this exact model, but with a later leather top, was probably acquired through the English marchand-mercier Edward Holmes Baldock by the 3rd Duke of Buccleuch and is now at Bowhill, Scotland. A further closely related example, acquired by George IV for Carlton House, remains in the Royal Collection. Dating from circa 1770 and also re-using early 18th Century elements, it was sent to be repaired by Morel and Seddon in 1828 and is discussed in H. Roberts, For the King's Pleasure, London, 2001, p.179, fig.206.

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